Alex Smith says getting a new contract isn’t on his radar

It was a question many long-suffering 49ers fans asked with dread or disgust three months ago.

Nine regular-season games later, however, the question is a bit different. That is, how many years will the 49ers give Alex Smith?

Yes, the question of Smith’s future in San Francisco was raised Wednesday on the heels of his much-improved play during the Niners’ 8-1 start.

Smith, who signed a one-year contract after the lockout, said he’s had no discussions regarding a future contract with the 49ers. And he has no plans to do so until after the season.

“Not something I’ve talked about, or even really thought about,” Smith said. “It’s so early. I’m focused on playing football. That’s not something I would want to think about in the middle of the season, to be honest with you. It’s so fun coming to work every day with the group of guys we have, and doing what we’re doing. So, not thinking about that right now.”

Cornerback Carlos Rogers has broadcast his desire to re-sign with San Francisco after his one-year deal expires following the season. Smith wasn’t as open Wednesday, but indicated his strong relationship with general manager Trent Baalke and coach Jim Harbaugh made him comfortable putting off contract talks until the offseason.

“I just think with the guys upstairs, Trent, coach Harbaugh, that’s something that we can deal with later,” Smith said.

He enters Sunday’s meeting against the visiting Cardinals ranked sixth in the NFL in completion percentage (64.0) and seventh in quarterback rating (95.8) while throwing 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. He leads the NFL with a 117.6 passer rating in the fourth quarter.

His performance figures to earn him a hefty raise from his reported $4.9 million salary this season. And it also inspired the question of whether he now considers himself an “elite” quarterback, a tag Harbaugh has already placed on him.

“I guess I’ve always felt like … when I play to my potential, absolutely,” he said. “It was a matter of doing it and doing it consistently. Elite I think really means, in this league, elite is not just showing it. It is week in and week out playing at that level. That’s what I define it as.”

Gore sits out: Running back Frank Gore did not practice after a knee injury kept him from finishing last week’s game against the Giants. Harbaugh had indicated to the media before practice Gore would likely participate.

Defensive tackle Justin Smith was the only other player to not practice. Smith, who is not injured, has taken a day off from practice to rest in recent weeks.

All in for Arizona: Harbaugh said the Niners wouldn’t limit the play of some starters against the Cardinals (3-6) with a road game against the Ravens (6-3) looming three time zones and four days away on Thanksgiving.

“This is a division game, these games are worth two games,” Harbaugh said. “It’s all important. This is the most important game of the year, because it’s the next game.”

National attention: The 49ers’ surprising start has placed them on the national radar. An ESPN camera crew visited the locker room Wednesday along with a reporter from ESPN The Magazine. This week’s Sports Illustrated features a three-page spread on the 49ers entitled, “The Thrill Is Back.”